Chapter 70: The Forbidden Land on the Ancient Path

Jiang Min was momentarily taken aback.

It was said that Yu Xiu was a man of steadfast determination. Born in the outer sect, his talent was mediocre, and he had long been an obscure figure. Even during his foundation building, he showed no remarkable promise and thus was not taken as a disciple by any inner sect elders. He remained in the outer sect, serving as a miscellaneous steward at the Martial Arts Hall while studying swordsmanship with the Sword Intent class.

Yet after his foundation building, it was as if something within him awakened. He began to make consecutive breakthroughs in the sword path, rising from the level of Sword Qi to become an outstanding figure in the realm of Sword Intent within ten years, earning the title of genius among his peers.

All of this was achieved entirely by his own efforts, forging his own path.

His sword intent possessed a unique perseverance and sharpness.

Many elders of the Martial Arts Hall praised the achievement of his swordsmanship.

Now, Yu Xiu’s earnest appeal left Jiang Min with the impression of a loyal, sincere elder.

When others treated her with earnest consideration, she could not be discourteous in return. Bearing the pressure of sword intent, she turned slightly and clasped her hands in salute. “Uncle Yu, I will do my best.”

Receiving her reply, Yu Xiu visibly relaxed, the invisible burden on his shoulders lightened somewhat. He sat cross-legged where he stood, choosing to remain and refine his sword intent.

Jiang Min continued forward.

Four remained, none willing to stop, as if competing, each slowly advancing further.

Among them, Lin Guanyu’s steps remained steady—it was hard to imagine the strength of her spiritual sense and her astonishing perseverance.

Jiang Min’s steps were also firm, and she felt she could continue.

“Perhaps it’s the effect of ‘Divine Jade Abode Scripture.’ I never expected this chance-acquired cultivation technique to be so profound and mysterious.”

As an outer sect disciple, her knowledge was limited; she did not know the difference between ‘Spirit Communication Technique’ and other basic arts, nor did she realize it had given her much benefit.

Yet this ‘Divine Jade Abode Scripture,’ gained by chance, was indeed profound. The increasingly fierce sword intent rampaged in her sea of consciousness, seeking to shatter it, but twelve divine acupoints shone brilliantly, resonating with each other to build a resilient Jade Abode of consciousness, standing firm against the sword intent.

Of course.

Spiritual arts alone weren’t enough.

The sword intent’s grinding of the spiritual sense was real—like thousands of sharp blades slicing through the sea of consciousness. This ancient, lingering sword intent was meant for killing; even stripped of lethal power, it was an intensely painful experience.

Thus, those who persisted needed not only strong spiritual sense but also powerful willpower.

Then—

Luo Qingfeng halted.

He looked at Lin Guanyu’s upright silhouette, his brows furrowed, struggling internally, and finally sighed, sitting cross-legged to begin cultivation.

Next was Yu Qinghe.

He had reached his limit. Whether in spiritual sense or in spirit, advancing further would risk his life, and so he stopped.

Watching Lin Guanyu continue, Yu Qinghe revealed a hint of dejection. He had to admit, there were always those stronger than oneself, those who could endure more.

“When I cultivate for a few more years, I’ll surely be able to surpass her!”

He comforted himself. He was still young; a few more years of cultivation and he wouldn’t be inferior to Lin Guanyu.

He had already surpassed Luo Qingfeng, so it wasn’t a loss.

Yu Qinghe sat down, preparing to take this opportunity to practice spiritual arts, when he heard familiar footsteps approaching from behind, growing ever closer.

He strained to turn his head and saw out of the corner of his eye Jiang Min approaching with steady steps, apparently not yet at her limit.

“?!”

In disbelief, Yu Qinghe watched Jiang Min quickly catch up and pass him, eyes straight ahead.

Wait—

Did she not even care that she had overtaken him?

“You—”

Yu Qinghe couldn’t help but send Jiang Min a voice transmission.

“Hmm?” Jiang Min paused, looking at Yu Qinghe, puzzled why he had called out to her. She recalled his surname Yu, his name Qinghe, and greeted, “Uncle Yu?”

After calling out, Yu Qinghe regretted it. He wasn’t one to lose graciously, so he quickly changed his tone, trying to sound calm and distant, albeit a bit awkward: “You’re very impressive. I admire you.”

Jiang Min hadn’t expected him to call her just to say this. She sensed his original intent was different, but since he said so, she reciprocated politely, sending back, “I am humbled, Uncle. You are impressive as well.”

She hadn’t expected Jiang Min to compliment him in return.

Yu Qinghe was slightly stunned, his ears flushing red, hidden by his hair.

Seeing he remained silent, Jiang Min felt odd, but thought, given his notable background, if she assumed the worst and he resented her for surpassing him, what then?

Her gaze flickered, and she spoke kindly, “My cultivation is weak, so the sword intent I bear is lighter; that is how I could reach this point. The pressure and pain you all endure far surpass mine—you are truly worthy of my respect.”

Yu Qinghe understood she was being modest, but receiving repeated praise made his ears redder. After a moment’s shy delight, he managed to suppress his joy, adopting a serious expression, and spoke earnestly, “To reach this point is a testament to your strength and perseverance.”

“We sword cultivators always admire those with great willpower.”

“Uncle, you overpraise me,” Jiang Min quickly replied humbly.

After a while, hearing no further transmissions, Jiang Min saluted him and continued onward.

Now—

On the Ancient Way of Sword Intent, only she and Lin Guanyu remained walking.

Lin Guanyu was unique; she endured the extreme pain of a damaged spiritual root for years, so she had practiced many spiritual arts and consumed rare treasures to enhance her spiritual sense. This sword intent was nothing to her.

She continued forward, her eyes only on the path ahead. She had walked this road many times before. Usually, the Ancient Way of Sword Intent would be crowded with disciples, who would watch her leave with admiration as she ventured further. Only now, with the East Spirit Sect guests being hosted and the path cleared, was it so peaceful.

Was no one following?

Lin Guanyu had the strength to glance back, surprised to find another walking—the young girl from East Spirit Sect. She hadn’t noticed her at the banquet, nor at the Sword Comprehension Cliff, being absorbed in her own sword understanding, and only recognized her cultivation level, not her name.

“Can you still keep going?” Lin Guanyu sent her a voice transmission.

Jiang Min was walking intently, surprised at Lin Guanyu’s initiative to speak, and transmitted back, “I can.”

“Walk a bit further, we’ll soon reach the end.” Lin Guanyu’s tone remained as calm as ever.

“Where?”

“The furthest point we can reach.”

Lin Guanyu said no more, continuing forward.

Her words were vague, and Jiang Min was curious—what was this ultimate point?

Her gaze settled on Lin Guanyu’s upright back, thinking, “This Lin Guanyu doesn’t seem arrogant or aloof…”

If she were truly aloof, would she turn back, would she converse with a mere Qi Refining disciple?

At the entrance of the Ancient Way of Sword Intent—

Master Purple Maple sighed, “I didn’t expect her to be the last one standing.”

Though weaker cultivation meant lighter sword intent, it also meant weaker spiritual sense. So, what truly tested these disciples, aside from extra spiritual arts, was endurance and willpower.

Master Qiyun grew more satisfied the longer he watched, smiling faintly. “This child has a good temperament. Stronger sword intent doesn’t mean only spiritual sense can endure—the pain that grinds the soul, that wears down the mind, is what must be borne. Many disciples don’t falter under the pressure, but under the torment of sword intent ravaging their consciousness—it’s enough to break one’s spirit.”

“This child is truly remarkable.”

Master Purple Maple glanced at him in surprise. “What? You don’t want a disciple, didn’t want to risk a five-element root, but now you sound like you’ve changed your mind?”

Master Qiyun’s tone grew earnest. “With her temperament and endurance, perhaps she can survive the Five Element Tribulation. If she succeeds, I would truly want her as my disciple.”

Outer sect disciples who succeed in foundation building aren’t guaranteed entry to the inner sect.

Only if an inner sect elder is willing to take them as a disciple do they become an inner sect member; otherwise, they remain in the outer sect, serving as stewards, officers, or taking idle posts, like Yu Xiu.

If Jiang Min succeeded in foundation building, she would face the same task of finding a master.

Few dared accept a five-element root as their disciple. Even if the foundation building tribulation is survived, what of the subsequent Yin-Yang tribulation at Core Formation? The Heart Demon tribulation at Nascent Soul? Whether cursed or not, the five-element root’s tribulations grow harder with each step. Failure means death and soul-dissolution! Other roots require no tribulations for advancement; it is truly strange.

Master Qiyun was different.

As a sword cultivator, he valued Jiang Min’s talent and character.

Just based on her performance at the ancient battlefield, he was fond of her—if she could surpass the Five Element Tribulation, he would bet on her future and take her as his disciple!

Jiang Min did not know.

A Golden Core master was already pleased with her.

She followed Lin Guanyu’s steps, pushing onward, gradually finding it hard to bear; her sea of consciousness seemed pierced by countless needles, sliced by innumerable blades. The dense, persistent pain spread from her consciousness throughout her body, making her soul curl up in agony.

But this pain, Jiang Min had already endured when crossing the Mountain of Blades and Sea of Fire, and the Furnace of Thunder and Fire. Now, she felt a numbness, gradually able to withstand such torment.

In her sea of consciousness, sword intent raged.

The ‘Divine Jade Abode Scripture’ operated at full force, twelve acupoints radiating, stabilizing her sea of consciousness. Her spiritual sense grew firmer and stronger amid the grinding of sword intent and circulating arts, this strengthened realm of consciousness gradually able to resist the sword intent’s erosion, letting Jiang Min grow stronger as she advanced, and advance as she grew stronger.

Suddenly, Lin Guanyu stopped.

Jiang Min, a few steps behind, caught up and stopped as well.

Her gaze fell ahead, finally understanding why Lin Guanyu spoke of a limit to their journey.

There, in the center of the ancient path, stood a grayish stone stele of unknown material, a yard away, inscribed with eight bold red characters:

Forbidden land of the ancient path, disciples must halt.

Holiday morning, dragged out for family activities… Sorry for the late update, so this chapter is 3000 words as compensation for the delay. Once the holiday ends, the update schedule will return to normal.